The Libyan Government of National Accord sent protest notes to Egypt, Italy and Greece against the backdrop of the maritime border demarcation agreements between them, while the National Oil Corporation announced its intention to ask oil companies to suspend their exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean as a disputed area.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Government of Accord, Muhammad Sayala, confirmed that his ministry would communicate with the governments of Greece and Malta, to negotiate with them regarding the demarcation of the maritime borders of the two countries with his country, and to reach final solutions, provided that they are transparent and realistic, and do not harm the interests of Libya.

This came during his meeting with Mustafa Sanallah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan National Oil Corporation, in the capital, Tripoli, according to a statement issued by the Foundation.

It is reported that Libya previously signed an agreement for security cooperation and demarcation of maritime borders with Turkey on November 27, 2019.

Libya signed an agreement with Turkey for security cooperation and maritime border demarcation (Al-Jazeera)

Suspension of activities

For his part, Mustafa Sanallah said that the Libyan Oil Corporation will demand the oil companies operating in these areas to suspend their exploration activities, as they are the subject of an ongoing dispute, until a legal settlement is reached that serves the interests of all parties concerned, and in a manner that does not overstate the rights and sovereignty of Libya.

The eastern Mediterranean region is experiencing tensions.

After Greece continued to take unilateral steps with the "Greek side" of the island of Cyprus, and some countries in the region regarding areas of maritime jurisdiction.

On the sixth of last August, Egypt and Greece signed a joint agreement to demarcate the maritime borders between the two countries, and this agreement was rejected by Turkey and the Libyan government.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said - in statements at the time - that the so-called agreement to demarcate areas of maritime jurisdiction between Egypt and Greece violates the continental shelf of Turkey and Libya and their rights.

Al-Namroosh demanded the dissolution of two brigades belonging to the Government of National Accord (Al-Jazeera)

Confrontations and demands

In a context related to field developments, Salah al-Nimroush, the Minister of Defense in the Libyan Government of National Accord, demanded - in a statement to Al-Jazeera - to dissolve the "Daman" and "Aswad Tajoura" battalions of the Government of National Accord, following the armed confrontations that took place between them at dawn today in the Tajoura area (east of Tripoli).

Al-Jazeera correspondent quoted local sources as saying that the clashes between the two battalions came against the background of the killing of a security member of the "Daman" battalion.

The sources added that there are local efforts to resolve the dispute and calm down.

The clashes resulted in material damage in the area.